Match Reports 08 March 2008

  • First Team

    Fixture
    Tunbridge Wells, 08 March 2008
    Result
    2 - 1 LOSS ( B Angel )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    With only 2 points separating 5 teams trying to avoid the last relegation spot in the Kent/Sussex Premier League , Sutton Valence did themselves no favours this weekend going down 2-1 to Tunbridge Wells. T Wells who now go ahead of Valence on points, and with other results not going their way, leave Valence requiring some inspired performances going into the final two games.

    T Wells started the brighter of the two teams commanding much of the early possession. Valence in contrast, were slow to get out of the blocks and indeed fortunate not to find themselves behind within the first 5 minutes after conceding two early short corners. Given the significance of the result riding on the game, it was disappointing not to see more urgency from Valence from in these early exchanges.

    Valence didn't manage to hold out for long though and with a little over 10 minutes gone, T Wells took a deserved lead capitalising on a defensive error from "the usually dependable" T Willson. N Lampp, Valence's usual defensive error specialist, has obviously passed on some useful tips ahead of his long awaited return home to Australia.

    Following the goal, the game opened up with T Wells now content to sit back and let Valence come onto them. During this passage of play Valence looked threatening at times, but given the amount of space in which they were allowed to play, created precious few meaningful chances on goal. In search of the equalizer, Valence committed numbers forward with full backs, C Johnson and S Back, in particular, often choosing to 'defend' from some courageously advanced positions. It was only a matter of time before Wells were allowed to break away and with a series of slick passes doubled their lead after 20 minutes.

    Valence finished the half strongly, but with a two goal lead, T Wells had the luxury of letting their opposition play in front of them. Following a serious dressing down at half time, Valence began the second half with fresh ideas and impetuous. Possession soon started to turn into chances, and for the first time in the game the T Wells defence were genuinely tested. On the hour Valence managed to convert a scrambled goal crossed in from the left with B Angel getting 'just enough' on it to chip it over the diving keeper and trickle over the line.

    With the score now at 2-1 and Valence in the ascendency, the game looked to be heading for a grand stand finish. However, it was not to be as T Wells kept their cool and Valence found themselves down to 10 men following a malicious challenge (having studied the replays) from Valence's regular sin-bin warmer, R Bray.

    Valence will have their work cut out in the last two games, and despite having amassed 22 points, now find themselves reliant on other results if they are to avoid relegation.

    Team
    Croucher (GK), S Back, C Back (Capt), Johnson, Bray, Morgan, Lampp (Coach), Angel, Turnill, Willson, Fraser, McVarish.

  • Second Team

    Fixture
    Kings Alleyns, 08 March 2008
    Result
    8 - 5 WIN ( A Carter 3, M Ife 1, A Devlin 2, P Posnett, B Lewell )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    Kings came to Sutton for the return game of the season with a completely different set of faces from the first match. Sutton knew they were in for a tough match as from the first whistle Kings pacey players piled on the attacks. Sutton's veteran defence looked capable to hold out but some self inflicted mistakes soon saw Kings 0 - 3 up after 5 minutes. As Kings players grinned like Cheshire Cats thinking the game was over, Sutton calmly strung some passes together and with excellent team work hit Kings hard and after 10 minutes of the game the score was 3-3. Kings players were in disarray as Sutton's youngsters Max Ife, Callum Atkins, Ali Carter and Ben Lewell showed what real skill and team work was. Kings again rallied to make the score 3-4 but Sutton had seen their weakness (team work) and again took the game back to Kings and by half time the score was 6-4 to Sutton.

    Sutton's captain Andrew Lee gave a rousing half time speech and Sutton responded with their seventh to knock the wind out of Kings. The game settled into a more even contest but Sutton's determination and team effort saw Kings defending deeper as they tried to catch Sutton on the break. Suttons defence held strong and though Kings scored their fifth giving them a glimmer of hope, Sutton promptly replied with Max Ife dribbling through the Kings mid-field and defence to set up Andy Devlin for an easy goal.

    Sutton continued to attack and nearly scored a goal of the season as fast passing and support work between Max Ife, Devlin and Lewell blinded Kings players. Only an unlucky bounce preventing Sutton claiming a ninth goal.

    At the final whistle Sutton were the deserved winners 8 - 5. This was a great game of hockey and a pleasure for any spectator. A minority of Kings players refused to shake hands after the match which was a great shame but Sutton wished them all the best when they play for Kings 1st XI next week.

  • Fifth Team

    Fixture
    Wellcome, 08 March 2008
    Result
    4 - 2 WIN ( B Sagrott, P Bramall, D Armstrong, P Parmar )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    The opposition arrived in dribs and drabs and the match finally got underway at 10:15. The Wellcome team included several younger players and they started attacking the Valence goal, exerting some pressure. Eventually, Valence began to mount attacks and without playing convincing hockey scored two goals midway through the half and conceded one.

    After the interval Valence brought Iain Simmons into the attack and began to mount more pressure on the goal. Wellcome scored again to level the scores when a poorly taken 16 hit went straight to the opposition who, in the confusion, swept the ball home. Vlence applied most of the pressure but every so often Wellcome raced up field where they missed two open goals in quick succession. Eventually however the home teams attacks paid off and two further goals were scored. Only fine stops from the Wellcome keeper and two disallowed goals from penalty corners stopped the home side from bagging several more goals.

    The second half saw the team rediscovering a fluent passing game. Let’s hope that this will improve further for the last league game of the season at Maidstone. There were many solid performances throughout the team but Phil Bramall shone; deservedly gaining another star performance.

    Team
    Olly Aldridge, Dave Barton, Mike Nettle, Pradeep Parmar, Danny Grace, Nick Gray, James Abrahams, Bob Sagrott, Phil Bramall, Dan Mansfield, Dan Armstrong, Iain Simmons. Umpire: Richard Ashness
    MoM
    Phil Bramall

  • Veterans Team

    Fixture
    Gore Court - Kent Veterans Cup – Quarter Final, 09 March 2008
    Result
    1 - 9 LOSS ( W Hoffman !!!!!!!! )
    Venue
    Report

    After the exhilaration of the 5-2 win over Cliftonville in the previous round, the reality of playing a top club proved to be a very different experience for Sutton Valence, playing in the Quarter Finals for the first time since the ‘golden season’ of 1993 when they were knocked out by Tulse Hill in a close match on grass.

    The team took time to settle against an experienced, fit and skilful Gore Court side, seven of whom had played National League hockey. Despite some spirited defending and the brave efforts of replacement keeper Chrisford, the only question was when the first goal would come. After several close shaves, Gore Court found the net and their superior fieldcraft opened up numerous other opportunities. It was a testament to the discipline displayed by Sutton that the score was kept to 3-0 at half time, with Mark Leader and Phil Bramall battling tirelessly in the centre of the park.

    Despite discussing ways to boost the midfield to feed an isolated attack and to stop Gore Court running through, Sutton found themselves another goal down within a minute of the restart. The game opened up in the second half and, although further goals were conceded at regular intervals, Sutton did at least manage several attacks and create scoring opportunities , one of which was taken when a breakaway attack saw Steve Mole feed Will Hoffman in the D. Completely unmarked, Will beat the keeper with a powerful strike, to score his first goal ever. Vey good effort for the left back!

    Although the final scoreline was not a positive outcome, Sutton left the field with pride, knowing that they had performed their best against a very powerful side, displaying sportsmanship and a good team spirit.

    Team
    Chrisford, Nettle, McVarish, Hoffman, Mole, Bramall, Leader, Sagrott, Bates, Davies, Ife, Chalker, Humphrey
    MoM
    Will Hoffman for his spirited defence and his first ever goal.